Wrongful Death Attorney in York, Pennsylvania

It’s an unthinkable tragedy when you lose someone you love due to an accident that wasn’t their fault. There’s no amount of compensation that can right this wrong, and the family members of the deceased are the ones left to pick up the pieces and try to move on. If you’ve recently lost a loved one due to the careless or reckless actions of another, you’ve likely been wrapped up in your grief and may not be thinking of any legal steps you could take. However, there are steps you can take that can at least partially help with the healing process. By calling Korey Leslie, Attorney-At-Law, LLC, we can help you understand the process for filing a wrongful death lawsuit and work with you to mount a successful claim. Located in York, Pennsylvania, we’re able to serve clients throughout the area, including Lancaster, Harrisburg, and Camp Hill. Contact us today to set up a consultation with a personal injury attorney.

Why File a Wrongful Death Claim?

When someone you love dies, it’s understandable to want to move on and not dwell on their death, and many people don’t see how a wrongful death claim will help. While it won’t bring your loved one back, it can help to hold the responsible party liable in a way that may help others. Calling attention to these events and making the wrongdoer pay can help ensure that this type of tragic accident doesn’t happen to someone else. Additionally, you’re likely to be faced with a number of unforeseen expenses like funeral costs, hospital bills, and lost wages. A successful wrongful death claim can help cover these costs and ease your financial burden.

What Constitutes Wrongful Death in Pennsylvania?

A “wrongful death” is any death that comes about due to a negligent or violent act of another person, either accidentally or intentionally. This could be due to a car accident, medical malpractice, or an intentional act that’s associated with a crime like assault. In these situations, because the victim of the accident is deceased, a family member can file a suit on their behalf to seek damages. In Pennsylvania, you have two years from the date of death to file a claim.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Pennsylvania?

Under Pennsylvania law, only the “personal representative” of the deceased may file a wrongful death claim. This is usually a family member, beneficiary, or whoever is named in the deceased person’s will. Only one beneficiary can file a claim at a time, and it can be extremely helpful to enlist the help of an attorney to help you file. They can help gather evidence to prove liability, and can handle back and forth legal negotiations so you can focus on your family.

Damages Available

A successful wrongful death lawsuit will prove negligence on the part of someone else and ask for damages to cover the costs associated with the death. Common damages include burial and funeral expenses, lost wages of the surviving family members, future earnings that the deceased would have been able to contribute to the family, medical expenses, estate administration expenses, and loss of consortium.